LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 187

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 187

Resolved, That we request the synodical Commission on
Theology and Church Relations and synodical conventions to
intensify dialogs with other Christian bodies, under the
guidance of the Word of God.

Southern District
Richard E. Kuehnert Jr., Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-88B

Peace, New Berlin, Wis. Martin Bangert

3-89

To Encourage at Every Level the Study
and Discussion
of Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogs

WHEREAS, Theologians representing the Lutheran tradition
(appointed by the USA National Committee of the Lutheran
World Federation and by The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod) and the Roman Catholic tradition (appointed by the
Roman Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Ecumenical and
Interreligious Affairs) have been engaging in dialog on the
national level since 1965; and

WHEREAS, Such dialogs have produced six volumes of
thorough studies on many issues formerly held to be divisive
between the two traditions; and

WHEREAS, Such dialogs have not yet been officially received,
accepted, or endorsed by an authority of the appointing
churches; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 450th anniversary of the
Augsburg Confession, which in itself was an attempt at
theological dialog in the Lutheran-Roman Catholic context to
preserve the unity of the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
conscious of the fact that “the value of dialogue between
theologians of different Christian traditions is linked to the
extent to which insights gained can be communicated to, and
are deemed credible by, the constituencies of the churches
involved” (Empie-Murphy, Papal Primacy and the Universal
Church (Augsburg, 1974], p. vii); aware of the ecumenical
imperative brought to our attention by this anniversary year;
and being grateful for the blessing of God upon the Lutheran-
Roman Catholic theological dialogs, encourage at every level,
particularly on parish levels, study and discussion of the
dialogs and their implications throughout the coming
biennium by clergy and lay members of Lutheran and Roman
Catholic churches.

Northwest District
D. C. Schroeder, Secretary

3-90

Not to Join
the Lutheran World Federation

WHEREAS, In the 1973 report to the Synod the CTCR cited
the confusion, instability, and shift of theological emphasis in
the LWF so that the CTCR observed:

All this strengthened the fear on the part of some that the Federation
may divide Christians more than it unites them, and that it may
even impede the recruitment of more adherents to our faith (“Evian
in Retrospect,” CW, p. 41, col. 2);

and

WHEREAS, In fact there is such doctrinal diversity in the
LWF as to allow member church bodies to hold divergent views
on such basic Christian doctrines of the Christian faith as the
Lord’s Supper and the resurrection of Christ; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod decline to make application for
membership in the LWF.

Mount Hope Lutheran Church

Casper, Wyo.

Tom Boyles, Secretary

J.B. Brown, Pastor

LCUSA
3-91A

To Terminate Membership in LCUSA

WHEREAS, The membership of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod in LCUSA involves our Synod in cooperative
work with other Lutheran bodies whose doctrine is markedly
different and in opposition to the clear teaching of Holy
Scripture and the Book of Concord (cf. FODT and “A Statement
of Doctrinal Differences’’); and

WHEREAS, Membership in LCUSA implies a unity of the
Lutheran bodies involved both toward the congregations of the
Synod and other Christian denominations; and

WHEREAS, LCUSA has issued materials, news releases, and
public reJations material which takes stands contrary to God’s
Word and synodical doctrine; and

WHEREAS, The cost of membership in LCUSA is far beyond
any actual benefits derived, and this large sum of money could
be more effectively used in mission work; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS terminate its membership in
LCUSA on Jan. 1, 1982; and be it further

Resolved, That all necessary steps be taken to dissolve all
financial and other legal obligations which the Synod may
have had in LCUSA; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS authorize the synodical Board of
Directors to take any necessary measures to provide for
replacing the services now being rendered by LCUSA through
the agencies of our Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMS continue to be willing to discuss
doctrine and practice with any church body that accepts an
inerrant Scripture as the rule and norm of all doctrine and
practice.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Franklin, Nebr.

Maynard Schriner, Secretary

Jay Currie, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-91B to 3-91E

St. John, Mt. Prospect, [I].
Immanuel, Orange, Calif.
Zion, Delmont, S. Dak.

St. Paul’s, Fairmont, Minn.

Robert Kass
Ronald Whitney
Gene Bauman
Vernon Harley

3-92A

To End Membership in LCUSA

WHEREAS, Membership of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod in the Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. continues to
involve the Synod in relationships with other Lutheran synods
with whom doctrinal differences seem to be increasing instead
of being resolved (e.g., problems relating to Scripture, ordina-
tion of women, unionistic fellowship with non-Lutherans); and

WHEREAS, The Association of Evangelical Lutheran
Churches was received into membership in LCUSA; and

WHEREAS, Despite the alleged opportunity to study doctrine
and achieve unity through LCUSA, the doctrinal situation
between other synods and ours has deteriorated; and

WHEREAS, Membership in LCUSA continues to cost the
Synod large sums of money seemingly far beyond actual
benefits derived; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
withdraw its membership from the Lutheran Council in the
U.S.A. without delay.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Scarsdale, N.Y.

Alfred Barsuhn, President
M. C. Meyer, Pastor